A place to gather: thoughts, design ideas, artistic influences and friends

February 14, 2011

Vintage Victoria Love

Won't you journey back in time with me say 20 years ago (or so) to a period of yesteryear where a teenage girl dreaming of a bygone era where flowing skirts, afternoon tea, parlor games and horse-drawn carriages were the norm, pined over the mailbox delivery of a glossy magazine that would alter her life forever?

I was that girl and Victoria Magazine was my dose of monthly heaven to transport my heavy heart. So when my sister and I spotted not one but two stacks of vintage Victoria issues (1991 and 1993) at an antique store in Kansas City we snatched them without thinking twice and spent our afternoon reveling in and savoring each page. With every turn of the glossy pages a new memory sparked and launched a barrage of stories from high school .... like the time I hosted a Victorian croquet party in my front lawn complete with a crisp linened table filled with luncheon snacks, tea and cakes. ( I invited my highschool crush and he CAME).

The magazine was my solace. The place where dreams were born. And today looking back with fondness I am still drawn to these images. Isn't it interesting how current these images look? I mean, I don't know if it is because culturally we are drawing on inspiration from the early 90's now with a resurgence of pastels, lace, florals and all things granny chic, but aren't these looking more current than dated? Its hard for me to be unbiased since these images were home to my heart for so many years.

What in your life conjures up sweet memories from yesteryear? Do you have an emblem of youth that can still stir your heart today?

Happy Valentines Day my dears! May you embrace your loves, your life and your memories!

8 Comments

I am in full agreement with you on the Victoria magazine. I have every issue and duplicates on many. It broke my heart when it ceased publication. There has never been another magazine like it. Graceful living, ladylike and elegant. And yes, the pages do still appear current. A continual inspiration and I believe it will always be just that....inspiring.

How fun to think of you having a croquet party! How sophisticated!
These pages haven't really dated have they. But then maybe that's because there will always be a place for roses and lace
Happy valentines Heather
Kat xx

Oh this reminds me so much of me as a teenager too, 15 or so... I was in love with the Picnic at hanging rock movie (not caring it was from the 70s and classed by most as "ocker"), and the book. I manically practiced sewing, crochet and flower arranging, a muslin-dressed schoolgirl from the turn of the century was possibly all I wanted to be!